Snakes

Each year there are about 8000 poisonous snake bites in the United
States. Only about ten are fatal. About one-half of these bites are dry
without any venom injection. Most victims will know within five minutes
if the bite has venom. The first signs are swelling and pain. There is
one rare exception: the Mojave Green Rattlesnake. It takes nearly twelve
hours to produce swelling. By that time treatment may be too late.

Most of the poisonous snakes in the U.S. are pit vipers. Most of their
venom is a hemolytic toxin. This toxin causes blood vessels to burst and
the blood leaks into the tissue and clotting occurs. Rarely does this
cause death in healthy adults, but in the very young and in the very old
death can happen by shock. Within the first hour of the bite weakness,
rapid pulse, fading vision, nausea, and shock occurs.

The only other poisonous snake that has neurotoxin venom is the coral
snake. This neurotoxin destroys the nervous system and heart and lung
function ceases causing death. Antivenin is required to prevent death.

The pit vipers found in the U.S. are rattlesnakes, copperheads, and
water moccasins or cottonmouths. The coral snake, as mentioned, is not a
pit viper.

Rattlesnakes are heavy bodied reptiles usually three to five feet long.
Coloration is well camouflaged to its habitat. The key identifying
feature is the button-like rattles on its tail. The snake has the
characteristic arrowhead shaped head caused by the poisonous parotid
salivary glands. Rattlers are found throughout the U.S. They frequent
trails where they ambush rodents. They hunt at night. Their bite is more
potent than copperheads or water moccasins. They warn large animals by
rattling their tail.

Copperheads are two to three feet long and camouflaged in brown and
chestnut hourglass patterns. They blend well into dead leaves where they
lie in wait for their prey. Rocky areas also attract snakes because all
cold-blooded creatures are attracted to the heat absorbed by rocks.

Copperhead snakes make their homes primarily in the Eastern states from
Massachusetts to Florida, but are also found in states such as Illinois,
Oklahoma, and Texas.

Snakes seek companionship: where you find one there are others. They
avoid trouble by lying still and will make a fast retreat as a last
resort. Their bite is dangerous but rarely fatal.

Water moccasins or cottonmouths are one of the largest venomous snakes
in the United States and can reach up to five feet long. They have very
stout bodies with an abruptly tapering tail. Cottonmouths are very
sinister looking and are camouflaged in dull olive to brown shades.

Water Moccasins are the most aggressive venomous snakes in the United
States. They live near water, swamps, ponds, lakes, and rivers. Their
range is from Florida to Texas, and Southern Virginia to Indiana,
Illinois, and Texas.

Coral snakes are brightly colored. They are small and rarely reach three
feet in length. The axiom is: “Red next to yellow will kill a
fellow; red next to black is a friend of Jack.” Their bright
yellow and red bands help to readily identify these snakes. They are the
most venomous snake in the United States. Their venom is a neurotoxin
which requires anti-venom to treat, although bites are rare and usually
occur when the snake is handled. Avoidance is easier than confronting
one of these camouflaged snakes.

When someone is bitten by a venomous snake, the goal of first aid is to
stop the spread of venom. Control panic by keeping the victim
comfortable and calm. A calm patient has slower circulation and lower
blood pressure. Immobilize the bite area to reduce the venom spread. A
Sawyer pump immediately applied to the bite wound can reduce the dosage
of venom by about 35%. A compression bandage or a cold compress that
limits the superficial blood flow also helps stop the spread of venom.

Try to identify the snake. This is important for medical treatment so
the correct anti-venom will be used for the snake’s species. Go
for help or assist the victim in walking out. If you’re alone,
walk out calmly. Keep the bite area lower than the patient’s
heart. Avoid mouth suction because bacteria will be introduced to
already damaged tissue. Avoid cutting the bite as this also adds
bacteria. A tourniquet tightly applied may cut off all circulation and
cause nerve, cell, tissue, and organ death so it should not be used. A
compression bandage, on the other hand, only reduces the superficial
blood flow and doesn’t stop the deep blood flow. Anastamosis may
occur between the deep and shallow arteries. The deep arteries will keep
the superficial tissue oxygenated and alive.

Prevention is much better than the need for the cure. My love for
fishing has gotten me bitten four times. Each time I was protected by my
clothing. I spend a lot of time hiking and fishing in rattlesnake
country. I wear a heavy wading shoe with Kevlar gators over my chest or
hip boots. These Kevlar gators have been struck three times without
failure. When I am hiking in rattler country, I wear a thick pair of
hiking shoes and these Kevlar gators or my snake bite proof chaps. I
keep my hands up high and tap the ground with my trekking poles. This
noise warns the snake and gives it time to retreat. It also keeps my
hands well up and away from the snake.

In snake country I bring along my Sawyer extractor pump along with some
duct tape on my hiking poles. With this I can quickly apply the
extractor and rig up a compression bandage.

With my experience I’m good at spotting snakes. I am afraid of
them and I’m vigilant at spotting them. When I spot one I
curiously observe and give it a wide berth.

Non-venomous snakes still bite and pose a health hazard. Their mouths
are loaded with germs that can be transferred deep under your skin. This
can result in a nasty infection with swelling and pain. Getting a
current tetanus booster is good preventative medicine. Properly clean
the wound with soap and water. You can treat it like a poisonous bite to
prevent infection.

Snakes hunt at night and use their heat sensors to find their prey.
During the day they are temperature sensitive and will seek an area that
is close to their preferred temperature range. This usually puts them
under the shade of rocks or bushes by day and out in the open at night,
although in the spring and fall they may be sunning themselves on a rock
during the day. So watch out for snakes in these areas.

When it’s been very hot and dry, the snake’s prey can be
concentrated in the cool grasses by streams. Snakes migrate to their
food sources. Use caution when camping or fishing near a heavy riparian
area. This is where I suffered from my four bites. I unknowingly stepped
on each snake and it bit back.

Even though bees cause more medical emergencies than snakes, there is
something sinister about a snake as it lies hidden and camouflaged in
areas I frequent. I do have a fear of snakes and this keeps me alert for
them. But considering all the facts, my fear is not well founded.
However, many of us react with our emotions rather than our brains.
Don’t let snakes discourage you from camping out, but be alert
and prepared.